The Detroit Lions, in an effort to regain discipline after an offseason marred by arrests, might have lost their swagger on the field, receiver Nate Burleson said Monday.

But Burleson says Detroit regained its bad-boy image -- on the field -- during the team's bye week, and it was displayed during the Lions' comeback against the Eagles on Sunday. Detroit rallied for 17 points in the fourth quarter to stun Philadelphia 26-23 in overtime.

The Lions were plagued by seven arrests -- by four players -- during the offseason, causing the team's image to suffer around the league. But by tightening up off the field, the team's on-field play suffered, maybe helping to explain the team's 1-3 start before Sunday's victory.

"We had a lot of discipline issues during the offseason, and we wanted to tighten up because the perception of this organization started to change -- what we'd worked for was getting torn down, and we wanted to be more of a mature team," Burleson said. "But finding that maturity off the field can't compromise who we are on the field, and who we are on the field are the bad guys.

"We're the ones that nobody wants to see succeed, and we like it that way. We play better that way. I think everybody took it in their own hands to be better men off the field, and that followed us a little bit on the field, but I think we're back where we need to be."

Burleson put his renewed swagger on display in Sunday's victory after he caught a touchdown pass with 3:32 remaining to cut the Eagles' lead to 23-20. After scoring, he waved his hands to mimic the flight of an eagle and then pretended to throw the pretend bird in the air and shoot it with a pretend arrow.

"Yeah, I heard you can't shoot eagles," he said, according to the Detroit News, which according to the paper prompted laughter from his teammates in the locker room. "I don't know, I think I missed. The eagle might still be alive and flying around."

The receiver said his celebration was a way to have fun and helped "to kind of get our swagger back."

"I talked to the guys last week, and I said we've got to get back to being angry, mad at everybody, not really caring what people think about us, playing with that chip on our shoulders," he told reporters.

Burleson credited coach Jim Schwartz for helping to remind the team during the bye week to have fun again.

"It's hard to have a whole lot of fun when you're losing, but yeah, I think it is a game meant to be played with emotion," Schwartz said Monday, according to the Detroit News. "That was one of the things we talked about going in when we were 1-3. It's like, 'Look: We're a top-10 offense; we're a top-10 defense. Let's start acting like it.'"

I have no problem with them taking a "we don't care what anyone thinks" attitude of it helps them play better. What I have a problem with is playing undisciplined. 16 penalties? That's not playing with a chip on your shoulder. That's just stupid, undisciplined football and they were lucky it didn't cost them the game.

_________________"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." - John Adams

“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson

October 17th, 2012, 2:37 am

thelomasbrowns

Pro Bowl Player

Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:54 pmPosts: 2482

Re: Nate Burleson: Lions 'bad guys' again

DisgruntledFan wrote:

Show us some damn "swagger" on offense then Nate. Shooting Eagles is funny, but finishing the season under .500 isn't going to be if you don't figure out how to win more games soon.

Nate's having a really good year. I have no complaints about his performance thus far. Now Titus? Don't get me started...

_________________Jim Caldwell, on whether Jim Harbaugh is stealing his thunder: "Me? I don't have any thunder."

Show us some damn "swagger" on offense then Nate. Shooting Eagles is funny, but finishing the season under .500 isn't going to be if you don't figure out how to win more games soon.

Nate's having a really good year. I have no complaints about his performance thus far. Now Titus? Don't get me started...

Young is made everyone frustrated lol

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October 17th, 2012, 2:20 pm

DisgruntledFan

All State

Joined: December 12th, 2008, 1:42 amPosts: 360Location: Michiana

Re: Nate Burleson: Lions 'bad guys' again

Yeah I have no issues with Nate's play so far, but Titus is definitely another story. What the hell?

If this offense is going to get back on it's feet they have to get EVERYONE involved again and productive. Stafford needs to stop locking in on CJ and start getting the ball to other receivers.

And considering Young's lack of production so far I'm baffled by the fact that Broyles hasn't gotten more time. WTH? See what he can do for God's sake! I thought he was the "last missing piece". Otherwise I'm going to continue to look at him on the sidelines and picture Jenkins, Decastro, or Konz instead....

_________________Same Old Lions, just a different year....

October 17th, 2012, 4:08 pm

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4030Location: WSU

Re: Nate Burleson: Lions 'bad guys' again

i dont get how a bunch of false starts and offsides make you "bad guys" again